'Expert' Seasonals

[SlyckTires]

I just used standard tuning and won each by around 5 seconds after a couple trys. Just nail the apex's, and for the lotus one, traction is essential, get a straight drive out of the corner.

If you've read the majority of the posts on this subject, you'll know that to have achieved this, you're probably a better than average sim driver. You'll also know this type of 'advice' doesn't help that much, since most people can only get by via the tuning route.

So I'm guessing this is more of a brag than anything else.

For the record, I probably spent a total of 4 - 5 hours trying to nail Laguna, including time spent messing around with various tunes and trying to understand what each change did to the car's handling so that I could tailor the cars to suit my own driving style and it took me another hour of effort to do it again, and that was with a tune dialled in.

I think my advice would be find a tune you like, and then stick with it. Learn the track and the car.

In the Fiat, you should brake as little as possible. Cutting the chicane, I found didn't help that much. Don't follow the black lines here or in the uphill corners after the start/finish but keep it as straight as possible to avoid scrubbing speed.

The Lotus works better with a wing and an LSD. Brake in a straight line away from the apex, turn in quick and then get the power on early, once you've dialled most of the steering out. See the second drawing in this link (the late apex):
http://www.turnfast.com/tech_driving/driving_cornering

If you're using a wheel or have the brake/throttle on the triggers, you can use half throttle as you brake in the Scooby, it keeps the revs up for the following straight and on the left hander before the corkscrew, turn in as early as you can.

I also think pushing too hard can cause as many problems as not pushing hard enough. I made this 'overtaking guide' for Laguna to give you an idea of where you need to be for each pass.
https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207469&page=13

 

[Tonystew42]

I just beat Laguna, and all I have to say is that you need to know the track, and that the right tune is worth it's weight in gold. I used this one, but if you don't have very many credits, you'll probably have to try something else.

Body/Chassis: I got the stage 3 reduction, window reduction, and a carbon hood, evened out at 1250 with ballast, and moved it as far back as possible.

Engine: ECU tuning.

Intake system: Racing Filter and Intake Manifold.

Exhaust: Manifold, Cat. Conv., and racing exhaust.

Turbo: High RPM.

Tranny: Fully customizable, top speed at 137.

Drivetrain: Twin clutch, semi-racing flywheel, carbon driveshaft, and adjustable LSD with Torque @ 25/40, Accl. Sens. @ 30/40, and Brake Sens. @ 30/20.

Suspension: Fully customizable;
Ride height: -18/-14
Springs: 8.2/9.3
Dampers ex. and com.: 4/6
Anti-roll: 3/4
Camber: 2.8/1.7
Toe: -.52/-.34

Brakes: 6/4

I'm no professional at tuning, and just threw this together with what I know. Keep in mind though that it did work for me. If you are a good tuner, can you tell me if I'm on the right track here, or did I just get a lucky win?

 

[SlyckTires]

Tonystew

I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but there's a lot of stuff you have there that's similar to mine, which was mostly a mishmash of a lot of other people's and some ideas of my own. I think more camber at the front than the back is part of the 'secret', if there is one.

 

[BarronGeddon]

Body/Chassis: I got the stage 3 reduction, window reduction, and a carbon hood, evened put at 1250 with ballast, and moved it as far back as possible.

Wouldn't have thought you'd want to take braking force away from the front wheels in an understeery 4WD.

 

[Tonystew42]

Wouldn't have thought you'd want to take braking force away from the front wheels in an understeery 4WD.

I was actually trying to get the back end to come around in the tighter turns. Again, I don't know exactly what all that did.

 

[BarronGeddon]

Well if you still have the car, i'd say try taking it out again with the weight moved to the front, for a lap or two. See how it handles and you might find even more oversteer that way!

 

[ItsHim]

It's very important to keep a close eye on both corner entry and exit speeds. This requires patience and isn't as exicting as outbraking an opponent or powersliding through corners. Also squeeling tyres is a sign of going too fast, not of going really fast like seen in movies.

The difference between coming out of a turn at 92 rather than 89 km/h is the difference between golding and failing a challenge.

Some basic Tuning helps and is a must for the Laguna Seca race, but victory comes from getting the entry and exit speeds right.

Reviewing replays also helps in finding errors.

Good luck!

 

[Jaywalker]

I've noticed that with some tunes on the STI, the guys recommend power distribution of 25% front & 75% rear & in one case, even 15%F & 85%R. HOWEVER, my settings only go as low as 35% front & therefore 65% rear. Am I missing something? (I did buy the correct LSD/power distributor.)

 

[BarronGeddon]

I've noticed that with some tunes on the STI, the guys recommend power distribution of 25% front & 75% rear & in one case, even 15%F & 85%R. HOWEVER, my settings only go as low as 35% front & therefore 65% rear. Am I missing something? (I did buy the correct LSD.)

Hmm does the STI already have it's own customisable 4WD distribution? Or is that the mitsu evo's I'm thinking of

 

[ep3hk]

that fiat race is officially the slowest, most boring, most frustrating thing in history. apparently a good tune and running a clean line is only good enough for fourth place and 27 second behind...

 

[Jaywalker]

Hmm does the STI already have it's own customisable 4WD distribution? Or is that the mitsu evo's I'm thinking of

No, you have to buy it, but it only goes down to 35% in the front.

 

[Cavallo Rosso]

that fiat race is officially the slowest, most boring, most frustrating thing in history. apparently a good tune and running a clean line is only good enough for fourth place and 27 second behind...

I agree, I wasted too much time trying to finish that one, the Laguna Seca race was 10x easier.

 

[chalky]

I agree, I wasted too much time trying to finish that one, the Laguna Seca race was 10x easier.

I agree Laguna Seca was easier but the FIAT one was very satisfying and is achievable, just use a tune from off here and minimise the amount you brake. Carrying momentum is key for this challenge. I felt a great sense of achievement once I'd done it.

 

[Jaywalker]

LOL! It's exactly the other way 'round for me. I golded the Fiat one quite easily after a tune, but am struggling with the Scooby & Elise.

 

[googleberry]

that fiat race is officially the slowest, most boring, most frustrating thing in history. apparently a good tune and running a clean line is only good enough for fourth place and 27 second behind...

Agreed! Although a good tune and running a clean line is good enough for first Just keep at it, and eventually you'll get it.

 

[HaylRayzor]

that fiat race is officially the slowest, most boring, most frustrating thing in history. apparently a good tune and running a clean line is only good enough for fourth place and 27 second behind...

Yeah it's pretty boring if you have to repeat it.

I lightened mine and then added back the weight to the rear to balance the car better, added a close ratio trans, and added a tunable sport suspension so I could firm up the rear. I did nothing to the engine but an oil change. That took me over the limit by 1 hp so I backed it down with the limiter.

You have to stay off the brake in this event. A slight tap or 2 is all you need to make a lap in this car. Most corners just let off the gas, turn in, and get back on the gas. The trick is to not squeal the tires in the corners and not get held up by the AI cars. Don't touch them at all if you can help it.

 

[invalid76]

Even using the SHIRAKAWA Akira tune, I can't get past 4th in the Fiat 500 - 39 seconds on my first try.

Frustrating to say the least.

 

[Marry_Me_GT]

I used the tuning I found on this site. It took me 3 hours straight trying to do the Laguna Seca race. I got a gold in the end

 

[SlyckTires]

LOL! It's exactly the other way 'round for me. I golded the Fiat one quite easily after a tune, but am struggling with the Scooby & Elise.

This!

After my own experience, I'm amazed people find the Laguna challenge easier than the Fiat one. I think I maybe need to redo the Scooby with the most basic mod I can manage - maybe all the tinkering only made it harder?

 

[canderson19]

Even using the SHIRAKAWA Akira tune, I can't get past 4th in the Fiat 500 - 39 seconds on my first try.

Frustrating to say the least.

Watch some of the vidios of people completing the challenges. It took me forever, but you just have to keep at it. I was trying and trying but could not get 1st in the Fiat, then I watched several vidios, and figured out I wasn't going full speed into a corner I should have been. When I changed that, I won. Keep trying!!!

This!

After my own experience, I'm amazed people find the Laguna challenge easier than the Fiat one. I think I maybe need to redo the Scooby with the most basic mod I can manage - maybe all the tinkering only made it harder?

That is a real possibility. I would find the most natural feel for you, then just keep practicing. I used Rotery Junkies tune. I had to soften the suspension, and raise the front a little. Again just keep trying.

All in all, I am by far not the best driver, but I just kept at it. The reward was well worth the time...

 

[jasperw4]

the key at laguna is patience. get the car slowed down in a straight line and then turn in off the power and once you hit the apex get back on full throttle.

 

[SlyckTires]

My tune is an evolution of RJs, if I remember correctly.

I ran it again last night and won on the second try, even though I was hitting each car 1 - 2 corners later than my overtaking guide suggests. The AI cars are very slow out of the final corner.

 

[MarkW-63]

Managed the Fiat 500 won by 0.5 seconds, working on the Elise, but I dont have a Impreza with 18" wheel option, just a WRX version. Do I need the exact model as its not available from any dealer outlet??

 

[C_Raccoon23]

Managed the Fiat 500 won by 0.5 seconds, working on the Elise, but I dont have a Impreza with 18" wheel option, just a WRX version. Do I need the exact model as its not available from any dealer outlet??

No, just buy the one that says Subaru Impreza Sedan WRX STI '10.

 

[P0tt3r]

Finally completed the Fiat Expert Challenge this evening. As others have mentioned you need to have 2.04 laps consistently but my first lap times of around 2.08 was wrecking it, i noticed that going into the first tunnel (left hander) when on your first lap you can keep gas nailed all the way through as you wont be entering the tunnel as fast as on laps 2-5. Hey presto a 2.05 first lap, put in a few 2.03s and job done 👍

Hope this helps someone

 

[Cavallo Rosso]

Fiat race - Lap 1 (2.07.9) Try passing the 2nd car in the middle of the turn after the long tunnel straight.
Lap 2 (2.03.6)
Lap 3 (2.03. 8)
Lap 4 (2.05.8) I had trouble passing the 2nd place car on the next to last turn
Lap 5 (2.04.3) Passed last car just before last chicane.

 

[evil breakfast]

Trial Mountain is really beginning to annoy me.
Just can't seem to string 5 consistent laps together, as i always get a 2-04,promptly followed by a 2-08/09
Passing the audi A2 always seems to be a nightmare as well
best pos is 2nd, 2.5 secs behind.
Gonna try the SHIRAKAWA Akira tune methinks

 

[Endless-Wilso]

it took me 3 trys to get the fiat one done i didnt feel tuning the suspension was all that nessacary but having the close raito gear box was a big help the was 2 cut some corners cheating prehaps? well gets the job done. the elise one took me only 1 try it was the easiest 1 for me , but the Laguna one OMG ive tryed it AT LEAST 30 times and it pissed me off so much i haven't touched it for 2 weeks a can manage a 1:35 but not all to offten closest ive gotten was like 2-3 sec's from 1st but it ain't coming ez im not giving up yet dam what a task this is and the fiat & elise one's seemed ez for me so its frustrating y this is 'killing' me cuz im not a bad driver , anyway ill put my elise & fiat tune up 4 the masses 2 see later . BTW for the scooby one can i get link 2 Rotery Junkies tune i cant seem to find it...

 

[CyKosis1973]

BTW for the scooby one can i get link 2 Rotery Junkies tune i cant seem to find it...

All your needs are contained within...

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/showthread.php?t=207589

{Cy}

 

[MJGAIR]

The Fiat and Lotus race, i found pretty much easy, but for some weird reason i just cant get anywhere near to winning on the Subaru event,had so many set ups,used many of the set ups from on here and i seem to be getting slower.
Anyone with a decent set up that actually works? think i will go back to stock and start again..